3-Day Camping Safari: Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Crater

Three parks game drives: tree-climbing lions, crater herds, elephant gatherings

A 3-day camping safari from Arusha visiting Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with daily game drives, a professional guide, park fees and meals. Hotel pickup starts the tour at 8:30 AM on day one. The itinerary descends into Ngorongoro Crater on day two and ends with a half-day drive through Tarangire before returning to Arusha by early evening on day three.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Lake Manyara game drive and camping

• Pick up from Arusha at 8:30 AM
• Depart for Lake Manyara National Park
• Enjoy full day game drive with picnic lunch
• Spot wildlife including buffaloes and giraffes
• Return to camp for dinner

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater game drive

• Early breakfast
• Descend to Ngorongoro crater floor
• 5-hour game drive spotting diverse animals
• Picnic lunch at Hippo pool
• Ascend to crater rim
• Drive to accommodation in Karatu
• Dinner at camp

Day 3: Tarangire National Park game drive

• Breakfast at 8:00 AM
• Half day game drive in Tarangire National Park
• See baobab trees and large elephant herds
• Return to Arusha by 6 PM
• Drop off at preferred location

The experience

Lake Manyara opens the safari. You're picked up from your Arusha hotel at 8:30 AM and driven into the park for a full day of game drives through acacia and mahogany forests. The shoreline can turn pink with flamingos in the right season, and the park is known for tree-climbing lions, though spotting them depends on luck. Buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, baboons and blue monkeys are more reliably seen. A picnic lunch breaks the drive, and you return to camp for dinner.

Day two takes you to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After breakfast, you descend to the crater floor for a five-hour game drive where lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, rhinos and antelopes congregate around the Hippo Pool. The crater lake draws flamingos, and the air fills with eagles, vultures, storks and other birds. After lunch at the pool, a steep climb returns you to the rim, then a two-hour drive to your accommodation in Karatu.

Tarangire National Park closes the tour on day three. A half-day game drive starting at 8 AM showcases the park's baobab trees and the Tarangire River, which draws some of Africa's largest elephant herds. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes and zebras move through the landscape. By mid-afternoon you head back toward Arusha, arriving by 6 PM.

What’s included

Park fees, camping accommodation at two sites, all daily game drives in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, a professional driver-guide, meals as per the itinerary, drinking water throughout the safari, parking fees and all taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Adventure HQ Tanzania

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup from Arusha at 8:30 AM on day one means you don't need a car or arrange separate transport to the parks. The guide handles all driving and navigation across the three reserves over three days.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What animals might I see on this 3-day safari?

The tour targets lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, rhinos, giraffes, buffalo, leopards and cheetahs across the three parks. Lake Manyara is known for tree-climbing lions and seasonal flamingo flocks; Ngorongoro Crater concentrates large herds on its floor; Tarangire draws major elephant populations to the river. Smaller animals like impalas, baboons, jackals and antelopes appear regularly, along with numerous bird species including eagles, vultures, flamingos and herons.

Does the tour include accommodation and meals?

Camping accommodation is included at Panorama Camp site on day one and Kizumba camp on day two. You arrange your own lodging in Karatu on day two night. Meals as per the itinerary are provided, including picnic lunches during game drives and dinners at camp. Drinking water is supplied throughout the safari.

What time does the tour start and when does it end?

Hotel pickup in Arusha begins at 8:30 AM on day one. The final day's game drive starts at 8 AM after breakfast, and you're dropped at your preferred location in Arusha by approximately 6 PM on day three.

What is included in the price?

Park fees, camping fees, all daily game drives, a professional driver-guide, a 4x4 Land Cruiser, meals as listed in the itinerary, drinking water, parking fees, and all taxes and VAT are included. Hotel pickup on day one is part of the package.

Is this safari suitable for people without a car or staying in different hotels?

Yes. Hotel pickup from anywhere in Arusha at 8:30 AM on day one is included, so you don't need your own transport. The tour accommodates guests staying at different hotels in the city.